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America's 20 Best Date Restaurants

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Whether you have reason to celebrate or just want to impress a first date, check out these James Beard-winning eateries that will have her eating out of your hand.

by
Sharon Feiereisen 1 / 21

Food and <a href="http://www.mensfitness.com/women/sex-tips/5-simple-tips-to-better-sex" target="_blank">sex</a> go together like Brazil and bikinis. Sure, you might be perfectly fine to eat standing up and could care less about lighting, but if you're looking to attract a woman, take her to a restaurant that sets the mood for romance. Try one of these hotspots from this year’s list of James Beard Awards Outstanding Restaurants in America. The nominees are rife for over-the-top Wall Street-style caloric indulgences, farm-to-table Meccas, and charmingly decadent Southern eateries. She'll forget all about any Christian fantasies she's harboring from the <em>50 Shades of Grey</em> trilogy when you spoil her with mind-bendingly flavorful food eaten in trendy places.</p>

Balthazar

<h3><font color="red" font family="Arial">Balthazar - New York, NY</font></h3>
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This French bistro has inspired more imitators than James Bond. With an always-bustling scene (that usually includes a celebrity or two), the Keith McNally-owned eatery is often credited with helping make Soho the hip destination spot it is today. While the trendy atmosphere makes it great for impressing a date, the dishes makes it even more worth the hype, thanks to a consistently reliable menu of bistro staples. Don't miss the twice-fried french fries (more than 750 pounds of them are served each day). </p>
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(<a href="http://www.balthazarny.com" target="_blank">balthazarny.com</a>)
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Foreign Cinema

<h3><font color="red" font family="Arial">Foreign Cinema - San Francisco, CA</font></h3>
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One of the West Coat’s ultimate date spots, Foreign Cinema has an outdoor dining area where foreign films are projected onto the side of an adjoining building. Watching movies while eating dinner? It just may be the perfect backdrop by which to enjoy husband-and-wife John Clark and Gayle Pirie’s Mediterranean menu. In keeping with San Fran traditions, the menu is made mostly from seasonal, sustainably farmed, and organic ingredients. And this date won't break your wallet: Unlike most of America’s award-winning dining establishments, the menu here is moderately-priced. Another bonus is that there’s a connected bar, Laszlo Bar, for some liquid courage to start off your date.</p>
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(<a href="http://www.foreigncinema.com" target="_blank">foreigncinema.com</a>)
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Marcel's

<h3><font color="red" font family="Arial">Marcel's - Washington, DC</font></h3>
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A French/Belgium restaurant helmed by chef Robert Wiesmaier, expect a rather formal atmosphere, which is good if you're trying to appear classy. The menu is served in four to seven courses, and focuses on rich seafood and meat courses. Don't forget to save some calories for the decadent desserts which—when in season—include a flavor-popping warm black mission fig and almond tart. </p>
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(<a href="http://www.marcelsdc.com" target="_blank">marcelsdc.com</a>)
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Oleana

<h3><font color="red" font family="Arial">Oleana - Cambridge, MA</font></h3>
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Oleana’s Eastern Mediterranean fare is carefully executed by chef-owner Ana Sortun. Come with an appetite, because the dishes come generously portioned. It's also a good bet if you're date is a vegetarian, considering the eatery is best known for their vegetable tasting menu, which includes five meze and desserts. A bargain at only $40, it’s a favorite of even die-hard meat eaters. Served in a casual and welcoming setting, dishes can also be enjoyed on a patio if the weather permits. </p>
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(<a href="http://www.oleanarestaurant.com" target="_blank">oleanarestaurant.com</a>)
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August

<h3><font color="red" font family="Arial">August - New Orleans, LA</font></h3>
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Consistently ranked as one of the top New Orleans restaurants since opening in October 2001, August is owned by native John Besh (of Food Network and Top Chef fame). Located in a historic 19th century building, the décor is classic old-school luxury (think: crystal chandeliers and soaring columns). Expect a menu of modern French fare made with local ingredients.</p>
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(<a href="http://www.restaurantaugust.com" target=_"blank">restaurantaugust.com</a>)
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Picasso

<h3><font color="red" font family="Arial">Picasso - Las Vegas, NV</font></h3>
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Contrary to what the Italian-themed hotel and the Spanish painter-inspired name would have you think, Picasso is actually a French restaurant. And an unforgettable one at that. It's guaranteed to impress your date without feeling stuffy. Despite being surrounded by some $30 million worth of works by Pablo Picasso, the restaurant doesn’t feel overly pretentious. Get ready to wine and dine her: There's a wine cellar stocked with more than 1,500 options to complement your prix-fixe dinner or a tasting menu.</p>
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(<a href="http://www.bellagio.com/restaurants/picasso.aspx" target="_blank">bellagio.com</a>)
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Restaurant Alma

<h3><font color="red" font family="Arial">Restaurant Alma - Minneapolis, MN</font></h3>
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Forget fancy dishes you can't even pronounce: Restaurant Alma serves up American grub handcrafted with nothing but fresh, seasonal, organic, and local ingredients. Your date can choose from both a la carte and tasting menu options. The bistro’s combination of laid-back atmosphere (it’s located in a rustic, turn-of-the-century building), and carefully sourced, beautifully presented dishes make it feel like an elevated neighborhood spot. It's a haven for home-cooking lovers, as everything from the stocks and sauces to the breads and ice creams are made from scratch daily.</p>
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(<a href="http://www.restaurantalma.com/" target="_blank">restaurantalma.com</a>)
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Terra Restaurant

<h3><font color="red" font family="Arial">Terra - St. Helena, CA</font></h3>
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One of Napa’s most lauded fine-dining destinations, Terra is Napa’s true not-to-be-missed spot. (Stop by their more casual bar, Terra Bar, for a pre-dinner drink). Located in a brick-walled building, Terra’s breathtakingly beautiful dishes combine local influences with owner Hiro Sone’s classic European and Japanese training. Plates are offered in four, five, or six course prix-fixe options. While it’s easy to fill-up on the likes of grilled dry-aged N.Y. strip steak and bone marrow mashed potatoes, the sweets are as top-notch as the savory items. </p>
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(<a href="http://www.terrarestaurant.com/Terra_Restaurant/index.html" target="_blank">terrarestaurant.com<a>)
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Vincent on Camelback

<h3><font color="red" font family="Arial">Vincent on Camelback - Phoenix, AZ </font></h3>
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A local favorite, Vincent on Camelback serves up a daily changing selection of Southwestern fare. Also delicious is the attached—and more casual—Vincent Market Bistro for breakfast and lunch. Rip your teeth into hearty dinners like the boneless Arizona honey glazed beef short ribs and lobster chimichanga. No date to multi-room eatery would be complete with one of their signature soufflés. </p>
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(<a href="http://www.vincentsoncamelback.com/vincents/index_main.php" target="_blank">vincentoncamelback.com</a>)
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Patina Restaurant

<h3><font color="red" font family="Arial">Patina - Los Angeles, CA</font></h3>
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Owned by famed chef/restaurateur Joachim Splichal Patina, the restaurant that was formerly located on Melrose Avenue is now housed on the street level of the Walt Disney Concert Hall. Both seasonal a la carte and tasting menus are offered. To really impress your date, don't miss the gourmet cheeses, caviar service, and award-winning wine list. The only thing more posh than the Michelin-star eatery’s decadent menu (think: butter-poached Maine lobster), is their swanky décor—which includes a bamboo hedged outdoor patio perfect for an intimate dinner.</p>
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(<a href="http://www.patinarestaurant.com/home.php" target="_blank">patinarestaurant.com</a>)
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Tru Restaurant

<h3><font color="red" font family="Arial">Tru - Chicago, IL</font></h3>
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Traditional French with a twist, Tru lives up to the lofty expectations that come with highbrow Chicago restaurants. Executive chef Anthony Martin uses only the best ingredients. Among the notable offerings is a carefully sourced selection of caviar and roe from around the world. Tru's menus include a three-course prix fixe and tasting menus ranging from six to nine courses served in an elegant-but-not-stuffy dining room.</p>
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(<a href="http://www.trurestaurant.com/" target="_blank">trurestaurant.com</a>)
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Blue Hill Restaurant

<h3><font color="red" font family="Arial">Blue Hill Farm - New York, NY</font></h3>
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Everything right down to the butter and salt at Dan Barber’s Blue Hill has been meticulously planned to make use of the best local ingredient purveyors. It's one of the few spots in Manhattan where the noise level does not make it impossible to have a conversation despite a packed house. The crowd here is refined, and the ever-changing menu is based on what’s in-season. For the best seats in the house, ask for a table in the back room (if only because it entails walking through the immaculate kitchen).
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(<a href="http://www.bluehillfarm.com/" target="_blank">bluehillfarm.com</a>)
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Fore Street Restaurant

<h3><font color="red" font family="Arial">Fore Street - Portland, ME </font></h3>
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Using local and organic ingredients, the dishes at Fore Street come simply presented so as to keep the focus on the flavorful qualities of their nightly changing menu. Centered around an open kitchen that boasts a cozy wood-burning oven, grill, and turnspit visible from most tables, the contemporary eatery’s most popular dishes utilize those wood-burning devices to their maximum potential. Expect flavorful seafood, meats, game, and vegetables in a setting-sun-drenched, always-packed, brick-walled space. </p>
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(<a href="http://www.forestreet.biz/en/Home" target="_blank">forestreet.com</a>)
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Boulevard Restaurant

<h3><font color="red" font family="Arial">Boulevard - San Francisco, CA</font></h3>
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Given San Francisco foodie tendencies, it’s no small accomplishment that Boulevard has been a favorite since 1993. With an antique-French style interior and flavorful French-influenced American cuisine, you and your date will be eating beside people who have traveled far to experience Nancy Oakes’ lively eatery.</p>
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(<a href="http://www.boulevardrestaurant.com/" target="_blank">boulevardrestaurant.com</a>)
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The Kitchen Restaurant

<h3><font color="red" font family="Arial">The Kitchen - Sacramento, CA</font></h3>
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This place is appropriately named, given that The Kitchen’s kitchen is not only entirely open, but partially in the dining room. That means you and your date can meander into normally off-limit spots such as the pantry, wine cellar, and walk-in. A truly unique experience, The Kitchen only has one seating for 50 diners per night. It serves one locally sourced six-course menu, which changes every month. </p>
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(<a href="http://thekitchenrestaurant.com/" target="_blank">thekitchenrestaurant.com</a>)
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Charleston Restaurant

<h3><font color="red" font family="Arial">Charleston - Baltimore, MD</font></h3>
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Looking to pop the big question or celebrate a big occasion? When in Baltimore, Charleston is hands down the place to go. Located waterfront, the cuisine is French with a Southern twist. The restaurant offers an extensive prix fixe tasting menu from which guests choose between three and six courses. With locally sourced and seasonal products at the base of the menu, Charleston also offers an award-winning wine list of more than 700 wines to help put you in the mood.</p>
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(<a href="http://www.charlestonrestaurant.com" target="_blank">charlestonrestaurant.com</a>)
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Vetri Restaurant

<h3><font color="red" font family="Arial">Vetri - Philadelphia, PA</font></h3>
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Chef/owner Marc Vetri's eatery is often called the best Italian eatery outside of Italy. (Sorry Mario Batali and Tom Colicchio). So it’s little surprise that the 35-seat spot is always jam-packed. The only option here is the chef's four-course, authentically Italian tasting menu, which includes a fish, meat, vegetable, and dessert course. The diminutive size makes this an intimate spot for a special, dressed-up night out. </p>
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(<a href="http://www.vetriristorante.com" target="_blank">vetriristorante.com</a>)
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Highlands Bar and Grill

<h3><font color="red" font family="Arial">Highlands Bar and Grill - Birmingham, AL</font></h3>
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Southern cuisine meets French fundamentals at Highlands Bar and Grill. It's a great first date spot, thanks to an unpretentious staff and a laid-back vibe including vintage French posters. Fresh Gulf seafood, locally-grown organic produce, and sustainably-raised poultry, beef, veal, lamb and game are the foundations of the dishes created by James Beard Award winner Chef Frank Stitt.
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(<a href="http://www.highlandsbarandgrill.com/" target="_blank">highlandsbarandgrill.com</a>)
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Canlis Restaurant

<h3><font color="red" font family="Arial">Canlis - Seattle, WA</font></h3>
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It’s hard to argue that Canlis is far and away the poshest dining spot in Seattle, so it's a great place to take a girl who loves getting all dressed up. Even Seattle’s notoriously grungy locals come here decked out in LBDs and suits. Top-notch service, an impeccable setting (ask for a tour of the kitchen!), and a consistent menu of well executed American eats have made Canlis the ultimate destination for foodies in Seattle since 1950. Canlis was the first restaurant to ever serve American grown kobe-style beef and, to this day, Wagyu remains a patron favorite.
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(<a href="http://www.canlis.com/" target="_blank">canlis.com</a>)
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<h3><font color="red" font family="Arial">Editor's Pick: Circa 1886 - Charleston, SC</font></h3>
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Truffle oil, garden vegetables and ice cream: They're three tastes you wouldn't imagine would appear in the same course—yet alone in the very same dish—yet the all three manage to mingle seductively on your plate and leave you wishing for more at this decidedly inventive Lowcountry restaurant. Helmed by Texas transplant chef Marc Collins (who ensures that antelope regularly makes its way on to the menu) Circa 1886 is located in a beautifully restored original carriage house behind the historic Wentworth Mansion Hotel. If you want to make an unforgettable impression on your date, pair your dinner reservation with a stay at one of the property's impossibly romantic rooms.
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(<a href="http://www.circa1886.com/" target="_blank">circa1886.com</a>)
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